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Guatemala’s penitentiary authorities reported that they had contained riots in two prisons on Thursday, after inmates—many of whom are gang members—had taken approximately 40 police officers hostage to demand improved prison conditions. The incidents occurred amid a broader security crisis that has been intensified by the October shooting death of former anti-corruption prosecutor Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa, who had alleged links between gangs and politicians. Jorge López, head of the state penitentiary system, said in a press briefing that the disturbances began on the night of Wednesday in the El Boquerón prison on the east side of the country and in Renovación I, a high‑security facility on the south side that houses leaders of the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS‑13) gangs. López explained that the inmates had rebelled in response to new restrictions on visits and the removal of certain “benefits,” such as the allowance of household appliances. “We did not enter into any negotiations to release the detained officers,” López stated. He added that the situation was brought under control on Thursday through the pressure exerted by security forces. He emphasized that there were no confrontations and that the prison police officers were safe and had not been assaulted. President Bernardo Arévalo has faced criticism over the rising levels of criminal violence in the country. In January, a series of attacks by the Barrio 18 gang left 11 police officers dead in various locations across Guatemala, incidents that were preceded by prison riots. Article source: Diario El Salvador | Image credit: Diario El Salvador
Guatemala’s penitentiary authorities reported that they had contained riots in two prisons on Thursday, after inmates—many of whom are gang members—had taken approximately 40 police officers hostage to demand improved prison conditions. The incidents occurred amid a broader security crisis that has been intensified by the October shooting death of former anti-corruption prosecutor Juan Francisco Solórzano Foppa, who had alleged links between gangs and politicians. Jorge López, head of the state penitentiary system, said in a press briefing that the disturbances began on the night of Wednesday in the El Boquerón prison on the east side of the country and in Renovación I, a high‑security facility on the south side that houses leaders of the Barrio 18 and Mara Salvatrucha (MS‑13) gangs. López explained that the inmates had rebelled in response to new restrictions on visits and the removal of certain “benefits,” such as the allowance of household appliances. “We did not enter into any negotiations to release the detained officers,” López stated. He added that the situation was brought under control on Thursday through the pressure exerted by security forces. He emphasized that there were no confrontations and that the prison police officers were safe and had not been assaulted. President Bernardo Arévalo has faced criticism over the rising levels of criminal violence in the country. In January, a series of attacks by the Barrio 18 gang left 11 police officers dead in various locations across Guatemala, incidents that were preceded by prison riots.
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